Semaphore signal for electric switches



Feb. 11, 1930. E. WEXBERG SEMAPHORE SIGNAL FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed Dec. 30. 192'! T [N VENTOR Patented Feb. 11, 1930 ERNEST WEXBERG, OF CLIFTON, JERSEY SEMAPHORE SIGNAL FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Application filed December 30, 1927. Serial No. 243,629.

The main object of this invention is to provide a semaphore signal whlch is to be used in conjunction with house switches or the like and the main purpose is to elevate a flag at the J end of a staif when one of the push buttons is depressed to close a circuit of which the switch forms a part. j Another object of the invention is to provide a semaphore signal suitable for use with switches having alternately rising push buttons one of which is adapted to shift a flag from a normally hanging position when the circuit is open to a horizontal position when the switch circuit is closed.

The above and other objects will become apparent in the description below in which characters of reference refer to like-named parts in the drawing.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a switch box having the semaphore signal mounted in place thereon.

Figure 2 is a front elevational viewof Fig- 5 ure 1 showing the position of the semaphore when the circuit is closed.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of Figure 1 .showing the construction of the semaphore signal.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates a box or container in which the switch mechanism is located. The container is open at one side in order to receive the mechanism and this open side is covered by a panel plate 11 which has its bounding edges 'chamfered. At a central position in the panel plate perforations are formed thru which project switch operating push buttons 12 and 13 which are alternately depressed and raised as is indicated in Figure 1. Below the lower push button 13 a leg of flat material extends downwardly. This leg, indicated by the numeral 14, is secured in place by a screw 15 which engages panel plate below the push button ,13. Intermediate the length of the leg a pair of ears 16 extend outwardly in, spaced apart relation to each other. Between the cars 16 the tongues 23 forming part of an actuator lever 17 are pivoted. The upper end 18 of this actuator lever engages and seats upon the face of the push button 13, as is ini dicated in Figure 1. i i

The extreme lower end of. the leg14e has an additional pair of spaced apart cars 19 formed thereon between which the tongues 24 of a semaphore arm 20 are pivotally located. This semaphore arm has a sleeve 21 at its outer end into which one end of the mast of a pennant 22 is received. The-end of the arm opposite to the sleeve 21 is engaged bythe lower end of the lever 17 and is adapted to be lifted from the suspended to the horizontal position as indicated in Figure 1,by the lifting of the push button 13.

The pennant by its position is adapted to convey to an observer at adistance whether the circuit of which the switch forms a part isopen or closed. The spring 25 which is secured to the upper end of the lever and the leg 14 constantly retains the upper end 18 of said lever in contact with the face of the push button 13. Normally when the circuit is open the button 12 is raised, the push button 13 lowered, and the arm 20 assumes the position shown in broken lines in Figure 1. In this position the lower end of the lever 17 engages the extreme upper end of the arm 20 above the pivotal point. As the button 12 is depressed the button 13 is simultaneously lifted which causes the upper end of the lever 17 to be urged outwardly while the lower end of said lever exerts a pressureagainst the tip of the arm 20 and thereby rotates this arm 20 from the suspended to the horizontal position to indicate from a distance thru means of the pennant that the circuit is closed.

It is to be noted that certain changes in form and construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a semaphore signal, a switch container, a panel covering said container, alternately raised buttons protruding through said panel, a semaphore arm pivoted near one end, the end of said arm extending from one side of said pivotal point being heavy, said semaphore arm normally hanging in suspended position, a leg secured to said panel having said semaphore arm mounted pivotally thereon, a lever pivoted intermediate its length having one end seating on one of said buttons, and means engaging said pivoted arm for counterbalancing the Weighted end thereof to raise said semaphore arm from the suspended to the horizontal position.

2. In a semaphore signal, a switch container, a panel covering said container, alternately raised buttons protruding through said panel, a semaphore arm pivoted near one end, the end of said arm extending from one side of said pivotal point being heavy, said semaphore arm normally hanging in suspended position, a leg secured to said panel having said semaphore arm mounted pivotally thereon, a lever pivoted intermediate its length having one end seating on one of said buttons, the lower end of said lever contactingwith the surface of said arm on the heavy side of the pivotal point of said arm when the latter is in suspended position, said lever being adapted to be rotated by projection of the button with Which one end of the lever lies in contact, the opposite end of said lever being adapted to ride upon said semaphore arm from its heavy end to the opposite side of the pivotal point to raise said semaphore arm from the horizontal to the vertical position.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

' ERNEST WVEXBERG. 

